Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, when their normal food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
